Former NYT Journalist to Lead CBS After Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has appointed ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent step by recent acquirers to restructure operations of one of America's leading news organisations.
The company is also acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her contentious exit from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming overly political, said she was excited to shape CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".
From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has garnered notice for reports such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by traditional journalism to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Big name writers include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a bigger effort to update coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the greater part of the country wants news that is fair and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount would not address stories that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood movie maker of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce coverage that is less partisan, and therefore has the potential to connect with all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was approved by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a legal action.
To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison pledged to install an external reviewer at CBS to review allegations of prejudice and promised to authorities that programming would include a diversity of perspectives.
He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air modified discussions.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with a global news organization, meaning news content including video footage can be shared.
In a note declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.
"They are committing fully because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, common truths, and a common reality," she commented.
